d iti on!d!
cia l ert enclose Summer 2010
Spenual Repo
An
OHS breaks ground Sadie survives
Years of planning culminates in ceremony on new site OHS helps dog hit by car
May 7 was an exciting day for staff, space to ease animal stress and reduce
volunteers, dignitaries and supporters of disease transmission. The 40,000 square
the OHS. Shortly after 2 p.m., a ceremo- foot building will be a leading centre for
nial shovel broke the ground at the site the humane treatment of animals, as
of the new home for Ottawa’s animals well as a welcoming centre for the com-
on Hunt Club Road. Marking more than munity.
five years of planning and research, the While the progress to date has been
day was both a celebration and the start remarkable, there’s still much work to
of what will be an extremely busy year be done to make our dream of a new
of construction and preparation for the building a reality. Our fundraising goal
momentous move to the new site in the is not yet complete. Please visit
spring of 2011. www.breakingground.ca or call us at
The new OHS facility will be much 613-725-3166 ext. 279 to find out how
larger, and will incorporate features such you can help us build a brighter future
as better ventilation, lighting and more for Ottawa’s animals.
Sadie is an almost two-year-old dog
found by the side of Hwy. 417 in mid-
April. Likely hit by a car, when she was
brought to the OHS she was covered in
gashes and scrapes, and we weren’t sure
she would survive the night.
But Sadie was a fighter. Although she
suffered severe injuries to her head and
hind legs, the OHS veterinary team
worked long and hard to stitch her
wounds, bandage her cuts and manage
her pain. Slowly, Sadie regained her
strength, and her loveable personality
began to shine through. With no identi-
fication and no owner we could find,
OHS Executive Director, Bruce Roney, is joined by OHS foster volunteer, Laureen Sadie’s now in an OHS foster home get-
Harper and her daughter Rachel, and Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and ting better and stronger by the day.
Communities, John Baird, at the ground breaking ceremony for the new home of the Soon she’ll be ready to find a new and
Ottawa Humane Society, which took place on May 7. Construction has now begun loving home, and receive her
and is expected to be complete by spring of 2011. second chance at happiness.
rabbits HAMSTERS DOGS cats BIRDS rabbits HAMSTERS DOGS BIRDS rabbits HAMSTERS cats
CONTACT NUMBERS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESK
Main 613-725-3166
Emergency
Lost & Found
613-725-1532
613-725-9998
We’re not there yet
Fax 613-725-5674 The last five years have been the many
Dispatch/General Info ext. 221 consumed by research and planning to stories that
build a new home for the Ottawa have
Departmental Extensions: Humane Society and the animals accomp-
Adoption Centre ext. 258 entrusted to our care. The research of anied the
Building Campaign 279 best practices, shelter visits, evaluations pledges and
Lost & Found 223 of our current building, assessment of gifts that we
Fostering 255 our current and future needs, search for have received to
Investigations 224 and acquisition of land, discussions date: Marcy Baker, a
Administrative Assistant 233 with government, design and delightful octogenarian, who not only
Executive Director 232 fundraising all culminated in our recent made her pledge but solicited many
Tax Receipts & Donations 252 ground breaking ceremony. This more from her friends and
important project is finally a reality. acquaintances; the Migleys, and others
Special Events 333
But we are not quite there yet. More who had made a legacy for the animals
Community Events 263
funds need to be raised to ensure a by leaving money in their will, but
Finance 230 decided they wanted to see the animals
bright future.
Humane Education 235 have a brighter future in their lifetimes;
Shelter Operations 226 the Labelle family who decided to
Recently, I have been approached by
Volunteering 231 well-wishers who tell me that, if they forgo take-out and other small treats in
Legacy Giving 268 win the lottery, the OHS will have a order to make their pledge; radio host
Media 261 new shelter. While I am always grateful Sandy Sharkey, who named a tree after
Ottawa Humane Society for this goodwill, I knew and know that “the best dog ever”; and most of all, the
101 Champagne Avenue South the animals couldn’t wait for a lottery children forgoing birthday presents for
Ottawa ON, Canada K1S 4P3 windfall. The need is now and it cannot the animals. These are the people who
wait for chance. are helping to ensure that tomorrow’s
info@ottawahumane.ca cats won’t live in hallways for weeks,
Other well-wishers suggest that I that tomorrow’s dogs won’t be
www.ottawahumane.ca threatened with killer bacteria, and that
approach wealthy people in our
many more of our best friends will find
OHS NEWSLETTER community or corporations that are
new forever homes.
seen to be philanthropic. I am forced to
Editor: respond that, despite appearances,
Tara Jackson corporations only provide a very small I am very grateful to our donors. You
fraction — less than two per cent — of make everything we do for the animals
Contributors:
OHS staff, charitable giving in this country. every day possible: the thousands of
volunteers & supporters Moreover, it isn’t realistic to expect one rescues, the animal cruelty
If you have a story idea individual to bear the full cost of a new investigations and prosecutions; the
or comment, please contact home for the animals. The reality is shelter and care we provide to many
editor@ottawahumane.ca that this project will happen only with thousands of animals every year; the
via e-mail or by mail to the the support of everyone who cares education to change the future. A new
OHS Newsletter Editor. Submissions about the future of Ottawa’s animals. home for the Ottawa Humane Society
of pictures and articles are welcome; No one needs to be wealthy to help. It is certainly the biggest leap forward for
however, they may not necessarily be the welfare of animals in decades. Only
used. Articles may be edited for only takes about $42 a month over the
pledge period to make a gift of $2,500 you can make it a reality.
length and content.
and appear on the donor wall; donating
Newsletter articles may be stock can be very favourable for
reprinted with acknowledgement reducing income tax; a simple event in
of source. a backyard or office can raise a
Charitable registration
# 123264715 RR0001 surprising amount.
Please recycle this newsletter... Since the Breaking Ground Campaign Bruce Roney
...pass it on to a friend. was launched, I have been touched by Executive Director
2 Ottawa Humane Society Newsletter
Supporters buy equipment for OHS clinic
Donated funds mean more help for animals in need
Last year, the OHS performed over dehydration. Both scenarios can result in However, these challenging surgeries
3,700 surgeries in our in-house clinic, the unnecessary death of the animal. The sometimes involve equipment we may
including over 3,000 spays and neuters pump was featured on our Buddy & not have. While we have been extremely
and hundreds of surgeries on gravely Belle Fund section of our website, and successful in partnering with local spe-
sick and injured animals. OHS donors quickly jumped to the res- cialist veterinarians, who provide their
cue, raising the required funds to replace time and talent at no cost, saving an ani-
The success of these surgeries depends
this critical piece of equipment. mal may mean investing in the piece of
on the availability of life-saving equip-
equipment the veterinarian requires to
ment. Diagnostic tools, such as the X- As we take on increasingly complex sur-
successfully perform the required sur-
ray machine generously supplied by the geries in-house, we are able to give even
gery.
OHS Auxiliary when the clinic more animals a second chance.
opened several years ago, As we expand the amount and
mean that animals don’t need type of treatment we are able to
to be transported to another provide, we have also experi-
veterinary clinic for diagnostic enced significant inflation in the
work. The result is not just a cost of veterinary medical sup-
savings in time and precious plies. The result has been a dras-
funds, but also safety for ani- tic increase to the medical equip-
mals that are medically unsta- ment and supplies budget of the
ble, for whom the movement OHS clinic over the past two
involved in transport could years. While we have worked
jeopardize their health. diligently to effect the best pos-
sible discount rate with our sup-
Recently, the OHS advertised
pliers, our veterinary drugs and
its dire need for a new IV
supplies budget line has doubled
pump, after one of its ageing
over the past two years alone.
pumps finally broke. IV pumps
allow our veterinarians to regu- Without our supporters, we sim-
late fluids and keep an animal’s OHS donors rallied to raise funds for two much-needed IV ply could not meet the needs of
hydration level as normal as pumps for the OHS clinic. IV pumps are critical in a busy so many animals. We appreciate
possible. Too much fluid could clinic like ours, as they regulate an animal’s fluids and your ongoing commitment to
lead to a build-up in the ani- hydration levels. Thanks to the generosity of donors who helping us provide a better out-
mal’s heart or lungs, and not gave through the Buddy & Belle Fund online, more animals come for more animals in our
enough fluids could result in will receive a second chance through the OHS clinic. community!
OHS helps lost dog return home
If only dogs could talk! Skye the dog December 18, 2009. Skye’s owner,
arrived at the OHS in March, not Lorraine (pictured right), never gave
wearing any identification. After a up hope that she would find her
bout with kennel cough, this hand- friend. She even kept his wrapped
some dog with brilliant blue eyes had Christmas presents for him!
dental surgery to remove two broken The happy reunion took place at the
teeth, then was sent to recuperate at a OHS on April 21. Skye was ecstatic
foster volunteer’s home. While out to see Lorraine, and was especially
for a walk one day, a woman happy to receive a squeaky stuffed
approached the foster volunteer groundhog that he happily chewed in
because she recognized the dog as between hugs. Lorraine, in turn, hap-
belonging to a friend. pily re-adopted her long-lost pet.
A few phone calls confirmed the sus- While no one but Skye knows what
picion: Skye was the missing dog! He he did for three months, it’s certain
went missing from Renfrew on that dog’s “tale” had a happy ending.
SUMMER 2010 3
Volunteers fill the gaps!
Donated efforts help the animals in innumerable ways
Volunteers play an integral role in sup- drivers deliver animals to and from vet
port of the animals at the OHS by filling clinics or deliver envelopes to funeral
an assortment of roles. homes. And event volunteers assist us in
a variety of ways, including directing
Some volunteer positions involve direct
parking, setting up, planning, and count-
work with the animals and others are
ing money. It is this variety of volunteer
behind the scenes, but result in equally
duties that makes helping at the OHS a
important outcomes. Our dedicated dog
great experience!
walkers are easily identifiable as they
march down the street with a dog in We rely heavily on the generosity of
hand, but we have volunteers that are volunteers and we are thankful for the
not as visible and who still play essen- eclectic set of skills and the wealth of
tial roles in helping the animals in other knowledge that is brought to the OHS
ways. every day by
these kind-
For example,
hearted citi-
OHS office
zens. Puppies and kittens and… racing
volunteers
If you would pigeons? While not a common visitor,
are invalu-
like more the OHS does on occasion receive a
able as they
information wayward racing pigeon. Most racing
help us keep
about volun- pigeons are trained to make it home, but
the database
teering at the some do get lost during their travels.
current,
OHS, please (We once sheltered a pigeon from east-
which allows
contact the ern Quebec!)
us to thank
our generous volunteer Luckily, these feathered friends wear
donors and department bands that make identifying the owner
issue timely Many OHS volunteers help behind the scenes in valu- at volunteer easy. The OHS is fortunate to have the
receipts. able ways, inlcuding keeping our database of support- @ottawa help of a local racing pigeon aficionado
ers current, allowing us to thank our donors and issue humane.ca. to trace these bands and help get these
Volunteer
timely receipts. birds home.
Have you made plans
for your pet’s
future?
If you haven’t already named a
caretaker in your Will or Powers of
Attorney, consider the OHS Pet
Stewardship Program. It ensures
your pet will be cared for
appropriately after you’re gone.
For more information on how to
ensure a future for your family pet,
please call Monique Archambault at
613-725-3166 ext. 268, or e-mail
moniquea@ottawahumane.ca
4 Ottawa Humane Society Newsletter
Public help keep animals safe COURT UPDATES
EAPS relies on community to be eyes and ears on cruelty Pending Cases
The Emergency Animal Protection at 613-725-3166 ext. 224 or e-mail Louise Hupe: Charged on May 10 with
Services (EAPS) of the Ottawa Humane investigations@ottawahumane.ca and cruelty against a dog that was found
Society is in a unique position in that it provide the following information: covered with cockroaches and flies.
is not funded by the government but is Next court appearance is June 3.
• Your name, address and telephone
responsible for enforcing a provincial number for our records. Oanh Le: Charged March 26 for per-
act as well as the Criminal Code of mitting distress to, and failing to pro-
Canada. • The date, time and place (address) of
vide adequate and appropriate care for
the offence.
The EAPS team is able to function 31 cats in her care. Next court appear-
because of the support of donors. We • The registration number and descrip- ance is set for Sept. 28.
rely on people in the community to fund tion of any vehicle involved.
Completed
our work, but we also rely on them for • The investigator will need to ask you
information. Mohamed Tariq Hussain: Charged
questions about the animal(s) involved
Oct. 20 with five counts of animal cru-
With a small team and a vast area to to establish the full situation (e.g. the
elty following extreme cases of neglect
cover — everything within the bound- basic who, what, where, when, and why
involving 10 dogs and one cat.
aries of the City if possible). These
Appeared in court on April 20 where he
of Ottawa — our will relate to what
pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to a
agents and you have seen in
$400 fine, and prohibited from owning
inspectors can’t relation to the ani-
additional animals, caring for them, or
be everywhere at mal’s environment
breeding them for the next five years.
once. So we rely and its body con-
on the public to dition. Amr El Bardawil and Hamoun
notify us about Mahabadi: Charged Jan. 28 for cruelty
It is OHS policy
cruelty and neg- against a three-month-old husky that
to treat all com-
lect of animals; suffered severe injuries and head trauma
plaints in the
animals that have after being thrown against a table.
strictest confi-
been hit by a car Appeared in court on Mar. 18. Mr.
dence. Your name
that need medical Mahabadi pleaded guilty and was sen-
will not be dis-
attention; ani- tenced to a $250 fine. Mr. Bardawil
closed without
mals that have pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a
your permission,
been left in vehi- $1,000 fine and a five-year prohibition
but the OSPCA
cles on a hot day, on owning or living with animals.
investigator will
concerns about need to contact Meredith McDonald: Charged March
animals that need you if they need 26 with two counts of animal cruelty
shelter, food, The OHS relies on the public to notify us additional infor- against a six-month-old kitten in her
water or care; about animals in distress, like this dog that mation. possession. Appeared in court on April
animals that have was hit by an Ottawa taxi in early March. 29, where she pleaded guilty and was
been trapped and The OHS always
sentenced to a lifetime ban on owning
left in cages for long periods of time; aims to prevent
or caring for animals. She was also
illegal traps set for animals, or any other cruelty through education and opts for
ordered to undergo 10 hours of coun-
concerns about animals that may be court proceedings in the most serious
selling, and to pay $187 restitution to
injured or otherwise unwell. cases, only as a last resort.
the OHS. The ban is the first of its kind
Without the assistance of concerned In addition, the public can always assist to be handed down in Ottawa.
people, animals in our community us by being responsible pet owners to
Although legally mandated to enforce
would remain unprotected. If you care their own animals, especially by proper-
the animal cruelty provisions of the
about animals, you can help by report- ly identifying pets to ensure they’ll be
Criminal Code of Canada and the
ing any concerns you might have about returned if ever lost, keeping animals at
Ontario SPCA Act, the OHS does not
animals that are neglected, injured or home on hot days, where it is cool, and
receive any government funding, or
abused. out of hot cars, keeping animals leashed
funding from any animal welfare group,
and under control, and providing regular
To report a suspected situation involving to perform this essential work.
veterinary care and check-ups to all ani-
an animal that may be abused or neg- (Results of some of these court appear-
mals for the duration of their lives.
lected, and in distress, please contact us ances were not available by press time.)
SUMMER 2010 9
COMMUNITY KUDOS
Global Pet Foods once again selected A round of applause to Greg Langille Stars have donated over $2,500 to
the OHS as the local recipient for their and the Bible All-Stars for once again Ottawa’s animals.
“Show Us Your Heart” campaign. The hosting a concert in support of the OHS.
event was a huge success and resulted in The event, in its third year, raised nearly
a $1,935 donation for Ottawa’s animals! $500. To date Greg and the Bible-All A big thank you to the staff at the
Bytowne Cinema for their generous
donation of $400. The staff pooled their
Thank you to the staff at Public Safety tip jar earnings and decided to donate
for deciding to raise money for Ottawa’s the money to Ottawa’s animals. A purr-
animals. Their office casual Fridays fect idea!
raised $1,454. Thank you for showing
us how easy it can be to raise money for
the animals. Wags and Purrs to the Ottawa Humane
Society’s youngest supporters:
Something sweet was going on at the
Becky Jordyn Y
BTI Systems Inc. offices as they held
Brandon L Justine P
an office bake sale in support of the
Casey K Marianne
OHS. By the end of the day they were
Carolyn H Megan N
able to raise over $1,200.
Chloe K Sam
Congratulations on your success! Special thanks to Megan, age 9, who Elena J
raised $180 for the animals at her Ellen C
birthday party in April. Eric N
10 Ottawa Humane Society Newsletter
New site for walkathon! Effortless gifts
Join us on Sept. 12 across from RA Centre Monthly giving easy and
Join us on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010 in and their animals came out to support convenient for donors
our new location for the 22nd annual the OHS and raise funds for the animals
Wiggle Waggle Walkathon. in our care. They raised over $202,000,
making the IAMS Wiggle Waggle
With IAMS returning once again as a
Walkathon our largest and most impor-
major title sponsor, this year’s
tant fundraising event for Ottawa’s ani-
walkathon promises to be the biggest
mals!
and best ever. Our new “walk central”
will be on NCC property across from Please register online at
the RA Centre on Riverside Drive. With www.ottawahumane.ca/walkathon and
a larger site, new and easy routes along raise pledges by emailing your friends,
the parkway and lots of free parking, we family and co-workers.
know that the change in venue will be a You can also download a pledge sheet
hit with both our human and animal par- from our website and personalize your
ticipants. ask. If you raise $500 or more, you’ll be
Maps with direc- eligible for VIP sta-
tions to parking tus, and all of the
and walk site are perks that go with
now on our web- being a “star walk-
site. er” for the animals.
The 2 km and 5 km Pledge incentives
walks both start include T-shirts and
The OHS has over 3,100 regular
along the water and great gift cards for
monthly donors who find this option of
continue west anyone raising
automatic deductions to be an easy and
along the recre- $100 or more.
convenient way of donating to Ottawa’s
ational pathway Please see our web- animal throughout the year. Donor Sue
towards Vincent site for details on Stefko is just one example. “When my
Massey Park. But raising pledges and contribution comes out monthly, it takes
there’s more than how to become a no effort from me, and I don’t even
just walking. Stay VIP walker. notice it coming out of my account.”
for amazing dog Ms. Stefko highly recommends the pro-
agility and skijor- Again, don’t forget
to go to our new gram to anyone who is looking to make
ing demonstrations, smaller donations throughout the year,
contests, kid- location in front of
the RA Centre on which amount to a larger donation
friendly exhibits cumulatively. “It makes me feel great
and food for all! Riverside Drive!
Get set to walk for the animals on Sept. that I can contribute as much as I do
Last year almost 12 at our new walkathon location across See you on Sept. over the course of a year to my
2,500 supporters from the RA Centre on Riverside Drive. 12! favourite charity.”
SUMMER 2010 11
Join us
on the
beach!
HOPE volley-
ball: July 10
Mooney’s Bay
Beach.
Proceeds to
Critter Crafters use their creative talents to help the animals at the animals!
the OHS. They regularly sell their wares at local shows, like
these fleece nests designed to keep tiny kittens warm and cozy.
Critter Crafters is a group OHS supporters who have come
together to use their talents to support their favourite charity. For Last year, the OHS reached more than
the last eight years, this creative crew has been providing all of 4,200 children in Ottawa through our
the materials and work to create and sell crafts in order to raise humane education school presentations.
money for the OHS. Since all the crafts are donated and the With topics ranging from preventing
group picks up the tab for show fees, all proceeds from sales are- dog bites to careers in the animal indus-
donated to the animals. Since 2000, the group has raised almost try, the program helps create a new gen-
$50,000! If you would like to raise money for Ottawa’s animals eration of responsible pet owners.
please go to ottawahumane.ca/events/communityevents.cfm or
If you’re a teacher who would like the
contact Ashley MacCormack at ashleymj@ottawahumane.ca or
OHS to visit your classroom, our pro-
613-725-3166 ext.263.
gram has recently expanded to include
high shools. Visits for JK through to
Grade 12 will resume in September.
Thank you! Please go to www.ottawahumane.ca for
more information, or call 613-725-3166
ext. 235.
The Ottawa Humane Society could not September walkathon, and encourage
function without the support of our friends and family to support you in
community. Each and every day, you are raising funds for the animals.
there for the animals. Here are just a
• You send in follow-up letters and pic-
few of the examples of how you help.
tures of animals you have adopted from
• You respond to our pet of the week us. Hearing about how well our animals
spots on TV and in newspapers and help are doing in their new homes motivates
homeless animals receive a second staff to find the same happy endings for
chance at a new life. other animals.
• You tell others about your happy adop- • You help keep animals safe by being OHS breaks ground . . . . . . . . . . . 1
tion experiences at the OHS. This word- responsible about your own pets, includ-
Sadie survives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
of-mouth marketing is our best form of ing spaying and neutering them and
advertising! (You also tell us when ensuring they have proper identificaiton. Supporters buy equipment . . . . . . 3
you’re not happy, so we can improve Volunteers fill the gaps . . . . . . . . 4
• You alert us about animals in distress
and grow our services.)
in our community, and you fund our Public help keep animals safe . . . 9
• You answer calls to action on our emergency rescue services.
Court updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
behalf, contacting politicians at all lev-
Thank you for helping. The animals in Community kudos . . . . . . . . . . . 10
els of government, urging them to better
our community are better off because of
protect animals and keep them safe. New site for walkathon . . . . . . . 11
your generosity.
• You come to our events, like our Effortless gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11